IPENZ: New approach to regulating earthquake risk is more realistic

The Government’s newly announced approach to regulating the earthquake risk of older earthquake-prone buildings in New Zealand by having high, medium, and low risk zones is more realistic, IPENZ Chief Executive Susan Freeman-Greene said today.

“We have advocated for timeframes to be based on the seismic risk, the building vulnerability and the building occupancy,” she says. “We are pleased that this approach has been adopted by the Government.

“Allowing longer timeframes for buildings in low earthquake risk areas, a focus on unreinforced masonry buildings, a high priority for schools and a low priority for farm buildings is a realistic and pragmatic approach.”

Ms Freeman-Greene says a more risk​-based approach delivers a better outcome for all concerned.